Archaeologists in Austria have unearthed Europe’s largest known cache of Iron Age iron bars, a staggering find of over 500 bars weighing more than a metric ton, discovered in the Danube River and potentially lost in a shipwreck over 2,000 years ago. This ‘rusty treasure,’ dating to the 3rd or 2nd century B.C., represents a significant leap in understanding ancient iron production and trade, with enough material to forge approximately 500 swords. The discovery, made during gravel extraction in Deinham, is considered a ‘minor miracle’ by researchers, who are grateful the find was reported rather than sold to a scrap dealer. While the exact origin is unknown, the iron is believed to have been forged in Bavaria, Germany, and transported via the Danube, highlighting the extensive trade networks of the Late Iron Age and the increased capacity for iron production in the region.
Adapted from: Travel News Today on Fox News
